Have always advocated dialogue & diplomacy to resolve issues: India on Iran-Saudi peace pact

New Delhi: With Iran and Saudi Arabia agreeing to re-establish diplomatic ties in a China-brokered pact, India on Thursday said it has abiding interests in the Middle East region and has always advocated dialogue and diplomacy to resolve differences.

Asked about India’s reaction to the pact entered into on March 10, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said: “We have seen reports of this rapprochement. India has good relations with various countries in West Asia and we have abiding interests in that region.

“India has always advocated dialogue and diplomacy as a way to resolve differences,” he added.

The agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia to re-establish diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies within two months was reached during talks in Beijing on Friday.

The agreement was reached between Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, Saudi national security adviser Musaad bin Mohammed al-Aiban and Wang Yi, China’s top diplomat.

A joint statement issued said Saudi Arabia and Iran had agreed to respect state sovereignty and not interfere in each other’s internal affairs. It also said that the two nations had agreed to activate a security cooperation agreement signed in 2001.

Saudi Arabia, Iran and China also “expressed their keenness to exert all efforts towards enhancing regional and international peace and security,” the statement said.

Wang also said China will continue to play a constructive role in handling hotspot issues and demonstrate responsibility as a major nation.

As a “good-faith” and “reliable” mediator, China has faithfully fulfilled its duties as a host for dialogue, he said.

Riyadh broke off ties with Tehran in 2016 after protesters invaded Saudi diplomatic posts in Iran, after Saudi Arabia executed a prominent Shia Muslim scholar, triggering the demonstrations.

UNI